Ride Pleasant Streets - Saturday Short Edition

Come join us on Saturday, Oct 1 @ 3:00 PM as we make our way from Pleasant Ridge to beautiful Ault Park. We will also visit the site of the historic Cincinnati Observatory as an added treat! This ride features an out-and-back on Montgomery and Lester Roads, combined with low-stress streets in Norwood and a segment of the Wasson Way. The middle of our route takes us on a loop through Mt. Lookout—moderately hilly, but also where we are rewarded with the beauty of Ault Park and the Cincinnati Observatory. PLEASE PRE-REGISTER HERE (25 riders max) after reading the event details. ———— By the way, did you know that Oct. 1 is also “International Observe the Moon Night?” How cool is that? If you want to follow up your bike ride by participating in this world-wide event, check out the ticket information at Cincinnati Observatory! ———— Queen City Bike is grateful to Pleasant Streets and Community Happens Here for helping to make this bike event possible. ———— Route preview: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41075668 As an added bonus of Queen City Bike’s sponsorship of this event, you can navigate this route for free on the Ride with GPS app at any time—both during the event and after! ———— Departure Time: 3:00pm - Please plan to arrive early so we can all leave in a punctual fashion - We will meet in front of Community Happens Here. - Ride leaders will be there by 2:45pm to answer any questions! Distance: 15 miles Difficulty: - Mid-level Beginners and above - All riders should be comfortable with basic bike-handling and traffic skills - Route is not suitable for young children, but may be a good match for proficient teenagers (per discretion of parents) - We will regroup as needed throughout the ride Terrain: The route is predominantly rolling, but has fewer flat stretches and more harder climbs than previous “Sat Short” events. Climbs: - The two hardest climbs will on Observatory Ave. (max 4.9% grade) as we head out of Ault Park; and the return journey up Lester Avenue (max ~4.5-5% grade) on our way back to Pleasant Ridge. - A handful of smaller climbs are also scattered amidst our loop through Mt. Lookout. Descents: - This route includes a roll down Lester Road (neg 4-5% grade) and a fun sweep out of Ault Park onto Observatory Drive (max neg 6.5% grade). Both of these are moderate descents that are great for building your confidence! Traffic stress: - >90% of this ride will be on low-traffic streets Higher-stress areas: - The busiest area will be riding through the center of Pleasant Ridge (on Montgomery). The multiple traffic lights, the lower traffic volume on Saturday afternoons, and our presence as a group will all help to reduce the stress in this section. - The second busiest area will be rolling down Erie Ave. toward Marburg Ave. We will be carrying good speed in this section, however, so not many cars will need to pass us. When we arrive at Erie and Marburg, we will do a special turn-around loop that will reduce stress at this often-busy junction. Post-ride: - Fraser and I will bring a variety of beverages and snacks, and we will gather around the shady picnic table at the back of the parking lot at Community Happens Here. - Additional family members/friends are welcome to swing by après-bike. - We should be done with the ride by about 5:00pm. ———— Safety Notes: - Helmets required - Bike must be in good working condition. Please contact me if you have any questions! - If you have not been vaccinated for COVID-19, please plan to wear a mask during the ride Weather Notes: - In the event of adverse weather, I will post an update on the day of the ride—at or before noon - Updates will be shared on the Facebook event page, and also via the Ride Pleasant Streets Google Group - No message means the ride is still on! Parking: - Community Happens Here asks that if at all possible, we do NOT use their parking lot during our events. - The good news is there is PLENTY of free parking located one block from Community Happens Here at the Pleasant Ridge Community Parking Lot (located behind the Walgreens at 6204 Montgomery Road). From your parking location there, simply cross Woodmont Ave, go past the Sunoco gas station, and you will arrive at the front of Community Happens Here.